Rolando Villazon Guide To Opera features all of Villazon’s favourite
opera arias. Handpicked by the man himself, this includes some of the
world’s most popular arias such as Va, pensiero (Nabucco), Habanera
(Carmen), The Toreador Song (Carmen), O mio babbino caro (Gianni
Schicchi), The Pearl Fishers' Duet (The Pearl Fishers) and Nessun dorma
(Turandot).

So pleased to see my glorious Di Stefano there, even if I had to read right down to the bottom of the list to find him. I was quite grumpy when he didn't make it onto the 'What Makes a Great Tenor' tv programme!

I think with this CD it's going to be Rolando's name and also possibly the packaging that will sell -- I mean, if he explains his choices in the CD booklet. It's not a bad idea for the English market.

O.K., I'm going to buy these CDs when they become available, because I want to learn... BUT... Oh My God here it goes... I'm addicted to Monserrat Caballe's "Casta Diva" from the Teatre de Orange production (she isn't represented), I'm terribly disappointed that Jessye Norman isn't represented, kind of wish Leontyne Price were represented. (I can't help thinking about Sergei Lemeshev and Jussi Bjorling either, though, O.K., I know it was a long time ago...). Also (correct me if I'm wrong), but isn't the orchestra in Rolando's "Cielo e Mare" magnificent? And yet Daniele Callegari is not represented.Mr. Pavarotti's and Ms. Sutherland's musical choices are not exciting (though no one can argue with the brilliance of other aspects of their singing). Cecilia Bartoli massacres the music with too much decoration. I prefer Joyce Didonato. And Rolando, you seriously devalue yourself. Modesty is a wonderful thing, but honestly, Rolando, YOU ARE NOT A SINGING "ACTOR". Your every musical choice is sophisticated, and when you are singing well (most of the time), you compare favorably with any tenor who has ever recorded. I'm not a complete fool (though one might think so. But I played with a youth symphony orchestra and my sister is a professional musician). I am very opinionated and bossy. I am very, very guilty of those charges.

A word of caution: anyone hoping to read RV's views on the selections with this CD, you won't. Unfortunately, the booklet gives only the bare details with a few paragraphs of general introduction from Rolando.

I'm not saying 'don't get it' -- far from it! -- but be aware of what you are getting.

I'm still touched and delighted to see Di Stefano there, especially because I don't have this recording, only the 1940s' piano accompaniment (which is of course gorgeous). In my imagination now, Rolando was helped in his recent Werther at the ROH by Giuseppe. But I am a soft-hearted fool.

PS just listening to the CD and - Oh! - Rolando has given himself two tracks after all. There's also Cilèa, L'anima Ho Stanca, conducted by Daniele Calligari, 2007. The track listing here isn't quite right... There are 19 tracks on the second disc, and this is no.2.

I'm thrilled to see that conductor Daniele Callegari is represented on the second disc, he's very special. (I was thinking about Callas and Tebaldi this morning-- they are both wonderful, in different ways, but they recorded some time ago, so I understand why they are not included.) Rolando's instincts for the music are special, too, and I want him to feel supremely confident--to make choices based on what he knows is right, not to try to please other people. I actually think I'm going to love most of his choices on these discs. I just have to figure out how to order them.